If Rams Go Offense in Round 1 of NFL Draft, Is Corner Next Pick?
The Los Angeles Rams have plenty of needs on both sides of the ball coming into this offseason.
Offensively, L.A. not only needs some help at the tight end position but solidifying the offensive line and finding a future heir for Matthew Stafford is near the top of their to-do list.
And if the Rams elect to go offense in Round 1 of the NFL Draft with the No. 19 overall pick, defense - or more specifically cornerback - could very well be their next move on Day 2.
Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports
Fortunately for the Rams, there are a fair amount of cornerbacks that would be available in the second round. And among those players, there are a couple that could be an intriguing fit for L.A., and potentially make an impact on the team from Day 1.
While his stats don't jump off the page, one good option could be Iowa State's TJ Tampa. Last season with the Cyclones, Tampa was one of the best corners in the nation, finishing the year with 33 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections.
He was also named First Team All-Big 12, a Third Team AP All-American, and was a finalist for the Thorpe and Benarik awards.
From a physical standpoint, Tampa's strength lies in his 6-2, 200-pound frame at the corner position, in combination with his speed and explosiveness. Tampa's football IQ is also a major selling point, which comes in part due to spending extensive time as a receiver in high school.
That said, Tampa is currently considered a late Day 1 or Early Day 2 pick. So if he is already gone, who could the Rams target?
Another solid player the Rams could go with is Notre Dame's Cam Hart, who has impressed at the Senior Bowl. He is also 6-2 and weighs 205 pounds, and like Tampa, has very impressive speed for his build.
Last season as a captain for the Irish, Hart had 21 tackles, three tackles for loss and four pass deflections in 12 games. As things stand right now, Hart is projected to go near the end of the third round, so if the Rams are looking for a corner later in Day 2, Hart could be the pick.
Of course, the Rams could also elect to go for a corner in the first round, with a good amount of mock drafts projecting versatile Iowa corner Cooper DeJean to L.A. in round one.
Either way, secondary help will be a major need for the Rams this offseason. And whether they address that in the draft, free agency, or both, they should have plenty of options available.
